Business software provider NetSuite has launched an enterprise resource planning application for the iPhone and iPod touch that employs new cloud-computing technology.

The NetSuite for iPhone application is designed to deliver on-the-go access to NetSuite?s integrated business-management suite. The application features real-time dashboards that include key enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and ecommerce operational data.

?We?re bringing the first cloud computing ERP [enterprise resource planning] suite to the iPhone and iPod touch,? said Malin Huffman, principal product manager at NetSuite, San Mateo, CA.

?This enables companies running their business on NetSuite to give executives and managers a 360-degree view of their business when they?re on the go,? he said.

NetSuite claims that its mobile application has gotten more than 1,000 downloads from the Apple App Store within the first two weeks it became available.

Many companies already use NetSuite from their PCs to manage key business processes, using the dashboard?s software-as-a-service platform to access invoicing, customer records, inventory and financial reporting.

Thanks to NetSuite?s mobile implementation, businesses can access the same NetSuite functionalities from their mobile devices.

Existing NetSuite users who have set up custom fields, custom records, role-based security or custom dashboard elements will find the same custom implementations within the NetSuite application.

?Mobile provides a solution for employees on-the-go to very quickly look up key information ? what a customer bought last year, the contact you need to call or email to close a sale and etcetera,? Mr. Huffman said.

?But having access to the whole suite and financials provides deeper value than the CRM-only solutions out there,? he said.

On-the-go NetSuite users will also have real-time access to their NetSuite calendar and tasks lists, along with the ability to accept or decline events and mark tasks as completed.

The NetSuite mobile application incorporates features for all types of employees.

Sales representatives can view customers and contacts, as well as review quotes and orders.

Field service users have the ability to look over a customer history and browse associated cases.

Executives can browse financial trends, watch dashboards in real-time and look into key performance indicators.

The mobile application from NetSuite also leverages the native functionalities of the iPhone such as click-to-call, click-to-email and click-to-map via Google Maps.

NetSuite for iPhone is available as a free download from the Apple App Store as an extension of NetSuite?s regular subscription-based plan.

?NetSuite tracks a wealth of knowledge about your business ? your financials, sales, customer service information and etcetera,? Mr. Huffman said. ?Mobile access to that information helps executives, managers and other employees make better decisions regardless of where they are.

?Mobile access really extends the whole NetSuite experience and makes the suite more valuable and stickier ? and not just when you?re in front of a computer," he said.